The Genie from the Disney classic may have originated in imaginary, cartoon form, but in the new music video for Ne-Yo's cover of "Friend Like Me," the classic Robin Williams character pops up in the real world for one more wish-granting ride.
Ahead of the release of the star-filled We Love Disney LP, which features Disney classics remade by the likes of Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, Jessie J, Jason Derulo, Kacey Musgraves and more, Ne-Yo released a music video for his jazz-filled version of "Friend Like Me."
On the surface, the clip seems like any classic Ne-Yo video. There's a lush mansion, a poolside performance and even a pair of beautiful backup dancers. But, a closer look reveals that the whole set was created by a magic lamp, a la Aladdin's transformation from a street rat into a prince in the 1992 classic. Like Aladdin, Ne-Yo embraces the changes, dancing around the house and feeling his jazzy remake of "Friend Like Me."
All the while, the classic Disney film surrounds the scenes, as clips of the Genie and Aladdin interacting fill empty space around Ne-Yo.
Ne-Yo's "Friend Like Me" is just one song of 15 to appear on the upcoming album We Love Disney, which is due for release on Oct. 30.
We Love Disney Tracklist:
01. Friend Like Me (From Aladdin) - Ne-Yo
02. Part of Your World (From The Little Mermaid) - Jessie J
03. Can You Feel the Love Tonight / Nants' Ingonyama (From The Lion King) - Jason Derulo
04. The Rainbow Connection (From The Muppet Movie) - Gwen Stefani
05. Zero to Hero (From Hercules) - Ariana Grande
06. In a World of My Own / Very Good Advice (From Alice in Wonderland) - Jhené Aiko
07. I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song) (From The Jungle Book) - Fall Out Boy
08. Colors of the Wind (From Pocahontas) - Tori Kelly
09. Spoonful of Sugar (From Mary Poppins) - Kacey Musgraves
10. Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat (From The Aristocats) - Charles Perry
11. A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes (From Cinderella) - Jessie Ware
12. Let It Go (From Frozen) - Rascal Flatts & Lucy Hale
13. It's a Small World - We Love Disney Artists
Bonus Tracks on Deluxe CD, Vinyl and Picture Disc:
14. It's Not Easy Being Green (From The Muppet Show) - Brenna Whitaker
15. A Whole New World (From Aladdin) - Yuna
